Odette talks taking ‘To A Stranger’ live
National treasure and wordsmith Odette has spent the past year taking her debut album ‘To A Stranger‘ to the live stage. In 2020, she continues this run as she performs at Tasmania’s Party in the Paddock.
Heavily inspired by poetry and the gravity words hold, ‘To A Stranger’ is littered with Odette’s wisdom and introspection on life’s moments. Soaked with meditations on love and life, the singer breaks the mould, alternating between spoken word and singing to deliver a bold, captivating and heartfelt listening experience.
Odette has a very cheeky chat to us about taking her debut live at the Tasmanian festival.
A large component of ‘To A Stranger’ centres around longing for real, positive connections.
How does it feel to get to play these songs live, and set up the foundations for connecting with so many people in the audience?
It’s fun and also incredibly painful. I think these connections are very beautiful but sometimes they make me very sad because if a song I’ve written connects with someone in the audience, chances are they know how it feels to hold this pain.
Has the fact that the album is now accessible to everyone provided a different sort of feeling of release and relief compared to writing and recording?
It’s cathartic in the moment but I’m still healing. If I’m being completely honest it doesn’t feel like relief yet. I’m sure it will.
Spoken word and flows trickle through ‘To A Stranger’, rotating in and amongst Odette’s vocal performances.
Do you feel more exposed or vulnerable delivering that way compared to more melodic singing styles?
I suppose so. I wouldn’t say so. Speaking is actually easier than singing. I feel more vulnerable singing a melody because it holds a whole other level of feeling. Every note is a release of emotion. Speaking is a little less intense for me.
In a live setting, do you keep the spoken word as it is, or put it into a more musical arrangement?
It depends. I like to keep things spicy.
How do you see yourself performing the spoken word at Party in the Paddock, if at all?
There’s definitely a couple of moments in my set! I love performing them live. There’s a lot of angst, but also power in overcoming sadness and confusion on the album.
Have you ever found it challenging to bring that same energy and ferocity to the live stage?
Only when I’m asthmatic. Then it’s really difficult because I love dancing.
What’s the most exciting part about heading to a festival like Party in the Paddock?
Seeing a lot of artists I love and respect but also mainly paddock frolicking.
Finally, what can people expect from your set at Party in the Paddock?
I’ll probably be rambling and singing and rambling and screaming and stomping and rambling and crying and laughing and rambling. It’s going to be fun!
Odette performs at Party in the Paddock next year. Held in Tasmania from 6-8th February 2020, the singer performs along a massively talented lineup including Matt Corby, Broods, Mallrat and Mahalia.
Purchase your Party in the Paddock tickets at: https://www.partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au/tickets